mitt romney's strong debate performance and yesterday's timely drop in the nation's unemployment rate. these are critical days on every level from fund-raising to how the candidates define themselves and each other to an electorate that is now fully engaged and focused. our andrea mitchell is standing by with analysis, but first nbc's peter alexander on the campaign trail in florida tonight. good evening. >> reporter: with one month to go, mitt romney is trying to capture the energy, with more enthusiastic crowds and a simpler message. >> thank you. >> reporter: after weeks that reenergized republicans and reinvigorated the race, president obama is trying to blunt mitt romney's momentum embracing friday's encouraging economic news. >> we learned that the unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since i took office. more americans are entering the workforce. more americans are getting jobs. >> but romney hasn't ceded any ground, attacking failed policies that have stifled growth. >> the participation of our adults in the workforce were the same as at the time he got elected our une